high-quality wireless multimedia signal from the brain to some devaysa device (TV, projector, streaming player, and so on. N.) - This is what lies behind the term Miracast.This technology is a natural reaction of the market to the "closed" intellectual products of Apple and Intel, that is, it inherits the principles of AirPlay and WiDi, but is subject to a slightly different functional algorithms.The basis of the standard taken possibility Wi-Fi Direct.Therefore, the path information from the media renderer is limited to two points.Router intermediary in the process of translation is not involved - the sender and receiver communicate directly.
Miracast.What is this miracle?
exclusive rights to the trademark (the full name of the brand - Wi-Fi Certified Miracast) Association has Wi-Fi Alliance.However, any special logos or abbreviations for the labeling of products supporting the technology does not exist.The inscription «WiFi Miracast» is usually applied on a device, passed the certification procedure in accordance with the requirements of the Display test plan.
primary task was formulated as follows: "To ensure the output media content to a PC monitor or screen mobile gadget, to the big screen, without the use of wires and external networks."With particular emphasis on the quality of the signal.
Today every user "smart" devaysa (assuming that the OS supports Miracast) can synchronize your device with the TV / projector, and work with scale images without installing additional software.
Baseline characteristics
fundamental basis of technology - it is functional algorithms Wi-Fi Direct: Miracast-adapter that plugs into the HDMI-port conjugate device (if not provided by the internal arrangement of the "iron"), a substitute for part of the home network and buildsconditioned bridge with the broadcaster.Moreover, the signal format ITU-T H.264 is seen not as a way to share files, but as the mechanism of the capsule transport media packets (the schedule is sent and received in the form as it is).
At the time of presentation Miracast (it is precisely in September 2012 - is no accident: in less than 2 months the technology has been adopted by an updated Android operating system and, accordingly, has been applied not only in the products Google), there were more than fiftySupported resolutions: 17 - CEA, 29 - VESA, 12 - the so-called telephone.Among the recognized standards of sound - a two-channel LPCM, «Stereo 5.1» AC3, and ACC.
details on the process of connecting
Step activation option Miracast (it is probably already clear) involves several stages.We must act in such a manner:
- Enable PC / Smartphone / "handheld".
- Enable receiver "of the data (or a TV screen for presentations).
- Assign both devices are preinstalled.
Select and run a specific file in the display mode of the display copies of media to monitor the recipient.
mediator router in these "negotiations" does not participate: two devices form a right protected channel through which subsequently broadcast occurs.In simple terms, Miracast (it's technological direction as the kind of work with photo and video information will be more popular than the traditional HDMI-gateway, it is now no doubt) is an architectural superstructure over Wi-Fi Direct later versions (3.50 and above).Applied as H.264 video compression allows you to recreate an exact copy of the data elements in any atypical visualizer, including on the projection screen.
benefits that everyone will feel
Even inexperienced users will name offhand several reasons demand Miracast.Firstly, we are talking about operating comfort: visible to one another "over the air", with identification occurs in a matter of seconds, and the interaction - without intermediaries (no need to purchase connecting cable).Secondly, removable Miracast-adapter is automated so that the adjustment options for a particular model of the device does not need - dongle itself recognizes the sender / recipient of graphical information.In addition, there is to be support for 3D on the background of the full security of the broadcast content.
Among other advantages:
- popularity described communication standard in the community producers (more than 500 companies focused on the implementation of the "mirror broadcasting");
- no visible delays in the processing of the signal (to low-end models of gadgets this rule applies not fully);
- possibility of transferring "heavy" video (FullHD);
- minimization of additional processes (excludes excessive load on the battery of the smartphone / tablet).
Miracast and its weaknesses
Unfortunately, in the world of technology highbrow wording "without flaws" practically does not occur.The fact that the current version of Miracast (Android, I must say, just one of the many operating systems that link their fate with this standard, but the segment of mobile skins its dominance is not in doubt) is flawed, evidenced by:
- allMore weak compatibility (sometimes the status of "expected connection ..." is displayed on the screen, but the discriminating operation and can not find a logical extension);
- support a maximum resolution of 1920x1200 on the level, while the increasing demand for 4K;
- use of proprietary codec H.264;
- prohibitive degree of masking products, on board of which there is a software and "hardware" for the implementation of technology (no logos on the packaging and / or housing devaysa).
Also, many users see the disadvantage that when using Miracast-gadget is stopped by operation of the conventional Wi-Fi-connection.A two-channel adapter, as is known, not all are equipped with smart phones and tablets (shortage occurs even segment offers premium).Finally, the speaker 30 FPS and 720x480 - very modest rates today, but weak processors even they sometimes do not find understanding on the part of the Visualizer (on a large video screen comes with noticeable jerks).
analogs and their fundamental differences
Operating Systems, friendly mood for Miracast, - Android (from version 4.2 Jelly Bean), Windows 8.1 (for desktop and mobile devices) and Amazons Fire.As for the PC based on Linux, you get cracking without adequate recognition in sync with the certified products fail.However, huck is fraught with failures and can not guarantee a normal dialogue between the sender and the recipient of media content.Representatives of the range Apple did not perceive Miracast, since "incarcerated" under the original platform technology AirPlay.
Regarding Intel WiDi can be said that the standard connection for a long time was positioned as a property of the same name of the corporation and was unavailable for gadgets with third-party processors.But with the release of version 3.5 of the situation must be reversed.
Wire analogues only two - MHL and HDMI.Because of obvious differences worth noting cable base contact that is not convenient for frequent synchronization and signal stability for dynamic data exchange (Miracast essentially "sags" when the screen unfolding action-scene).
Miracast in the eyes of producers
Although the technology and has an open-source, its algorithms wireless image transmission is primarily focused on the potential of Windows and OS Android.It is not surprising that the list of manufacturers coming up with the times, several hundred positions.True, there are exceptions and unpleasant system associated with the updating of the management shell.Thus, in particular, was not supported by the Windows 7 Miracast (and the issue is not resolved either by a copyright assembly or installation of auxiliary software).
most recognizable brands were noticed "in love" for Wi-Fi Direct, and H.264:
- Qualcomm.
- MediaTek.
- AMD.
- Microsoft.
- Intel.
near future position Miracast
idea of creating a wireless HDMI, of course, interesting.However, on a huge screen display information from your smartphone or tablet is not so difficult.Where troublesome - to find a decent alternative protocols SMARTs.And in this respect Miracast just not going smoothly.
Besides direct competitors - AirPlay and Chromecast - in some moments behave much "smarter".For example, they allow you to send a large video monitor at the same time to navigate through the menus (without showing these same details in the transmitted stream).Second unpleasant nuance concerns the playback mode - Miracast often playing a video until the end, without reacting either the sensor or the command position sensor / motion devaysa source (full conjugation promised in the new firmware, then "asleep" smartphone learns to turn off the projection screen without extra codeuser).
Now about parallels with technology DLNA.Miracast - is "a straight path: broadcast" live "images on the screen of the gadget to another monitor takes the shortest algorithm without any additional communication nodes.Under the acronym DLNA hiding the whole combination raznosortnyh standards.That is to establish mutual devices requires the presence of "interpreter" (router).And more: the participants Digital Living Network Alliance can only operate files, and two "the interlocutor» Miracast operate on the principle of the mirror ("that show, then pass"), and in solving certain technical difficulties can share content optimally synchronized.
Software Compatibility Miracast: Windows-version
The official Microsoft page contains information about the required operating conditions under which the possible introduction of a functional package technology Miracast.
Windows 8.1 - pre-installed or updated with the "sevens" - refers to the number of minimum requirements.In addition, the announcement of the applicability of the standard to the broadcast version RT 8.1 and later assemblies OS.
Prepare your computer / gadget to the wireless broadcast media content on the monitor
For devices with "eight" on board a list of actions to ensure the process of broadcasting, it boils down to two points:
- Sync devices (transmitter and receiver), in the zone of actionsignal.
- Activation option "Projector".
And there are several scenarios O content.The picture / video, you can:
- broadcast mode overlap (simultaneous display on two displays);
- visualized on the monitor only the host device;
- transfer by dragging the desired elements from screen to screen.
Miracast and the operating system Android
Many electronics manufacturers are trying to make the most of technology Miracast.LG, for example, integrates it in smartphones and televisions has for several years.Do not lag behind and engineers Sony, Samsung, Panasonic - wherever the older Android OS 4.2, this standard is implemented, they say, to the fullest.
comfortable Demand content delivery has led to the fact that the support of Miracast got even those TV models that left the assembly line until 2012.Special technical solutions have become HDMI-keys (adapters signal).To date, their manufacture engaged in dozens of different companies.As a result, products coming into the market, seriously different in price and quality.Moreover, the place to be and functional imbalance: one adapter for the power to build "bridges" within the standard Miracast, other costs nothing to find a "common language" from the device or Apple to establish a "dialogue" on the DLNA.That's why before buying so important to peruse the thematic forums and visit the official sites of manufacturers.
Overview of the most popular dongles
Miracast Dongle prices vary between 30-100 conventional units.After purchasing and installing the adapter virtually any TV equipped with HDMI-port can be connected to the gadget wirelessly.We are talking about a direct connection, allows you to play "massive" video in 1920x1200.
Dongle Mocreo (30-35 at. E.) - Guaranteed support three protocols: Miracast, AirPlay and DLNA.
«Keys" brand Pythons (70-80 at. E.) As a rule, they recognize the same standards as Mocreo.
adapter GeekBuying (50-60 at. E.) - Provides mirror broadcast on algorithms Miracast and DNLA.
In addition, there are commercially available and original dongle Wi-Fi Certified Miracast, sharpened by one type of signal.
